Can they kick it?

Museum of Graffiti paints Austin for the 50th anniversary of hip hop

The Museum of Graffiti will transform an East 6th Street building to celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip hop.

Mural mockup courtesy of the Museum of Graffiti

Hip hop is about a lot more than beats, and despite the persistence of legend within the genre, it’s under-canonized in official collections. Miami’s Museum of Graffiti addresses that gap, calling itself “the world’s first Museum dedicated to the preservation and exhibition of graffiti art.” Austin will get to see the unique collection from March 10-28 at a pop-up to celebrate the 50th “anniversary” of the genre.

A grand opening during the weekend of March 10-12 coincides with the opening weekend of South by Southwest (although there does not seem to be an official relationship between the two). The festivities will include music programming, live art, fashion, complimentary drinks, panel discussions, and more.

“Many people around the world are celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip hop by placing an exclusive emphasis on the music,” said curator and co-founder Alan Ket. “However, hip hop is a movement with great cultural contributors across many creative disciplines, including graffiti. From Joe Conzo who photographed the early Bronx jams to Cey Adams who art directed many of the world’s biggest records including Public Enemy and The Notorious B.I.G.; There is no better time to celebrate their genius than in Austin during one of the largest annual cultural events in America.”

All this will be housed in one of the nondescript 6th Street buildings bordering I-35 (809 E 6th Street). West Chelsea Contemporary, a local gallery in Austin, plans to spruce up the walls on the building’s busier side in collaboration with Austin graffiti artist Sloke One and Los Angeles graffiti pioneer Risk (stylized RISK), in murals that will be painted live starting on February 25. Both have works at the gallery, separately from the museum’s arrival.

The main draw, an exhibition called “The Art of Hip Hop,” organizes photographs, album covers, logos, graffiti works, and any other important work by the creators responsible for the “visual identity of the genre.” Images of the home collection include works as diverse as skateboards, album art, archived tags (signatures), and more abstract collaborative experiments.

The museum also draws attention to its gift shop — arguably cooler than that of most classical collections — and gives visitors an opportunity to purchase original paintings made as long as 50 years ago.

The museum organizes its non-exhibit programming around the universally accepted “five pillars of hip hop”: MC’ing (lyricism), DJing, breakdancing (b-boying), graffiti, knowledge of the genre and its cultural context. Classes will touch on each pillar; There is no current schedule to reference, but weekly classes in Miami teach beginners how to use a spray can and kids how to draw in a street style.

Tickets ($12) to the Museum of Graffiti pop-up are available now at museumofgraffiti.com. Opening weekend will welcome guests ages 21 and older, but the remainder of the pop-up, including all workshops, are available to all ages.

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Outside the Lines

Buda artist releases intuitive drawing book with fun prompts

Photo courtesy of Ronald Gross

Artist Ronald Gross creates an intuitive drawing with crayon, which he considers a "joyful" medium.

Buda-based artist and writer Ronald Gross released a book in November called Unlock Your Creativity: A Guide to Intuitive Drawing, which will walk aspiring expressers through drawing without worry. On December 6, he'll be on hand to help in an intuitive drawing demo at Buda Public Library's Holiday Open House.

The book is a hands-on guide that teaches readers how to lean into their own desires and intuitions when drawing, whether they feel like an artist or not. In this way, intuitive drawing should feel relaxing, meditative, and ultimately, beneficial for mental health. If you find coloring books relaxing and meditative, intuitive drawing may have the same effect on you.

"Intuitive drawing is the practice of creating art without a specific plan or outcome in mind," says Gross. "It’s about letting your hand move freely, guided by emotion, curiosity, or subconscious impulses; not about making something perfect."

An intuitive drawing by author and artist Ronald Gross. Intuitive drawing is simple, joyful, and according to Gross can calm the mind much like meditation. Photo courtesy of Ronald Gross

This book presents exercises to access a mindful state: freeform doodling, blind contouring drawing, drawing from the imagination, and drawing from emotions. For artists feeling stuck, Gross also includes plenty of exercises for overcoming creative blocks and even discusses ways intuitive drawing can be applied to other creative projects and areas of life.

In the December workshop, Gross will give a quick demonstration on how to create an intuitive drawing using nothing but lines, shapes, and simple marks. Then participants can try it out with a variety of crayons, because crayons are "tactile" and can quickly transport people into a "playful, unselfconscious space," according to Gross.

"The workshop is all about creating a supportive, judgment-free space to explore intuitive drawing," he says. "Attendees will leave with tools to keep practicing on their own and, hopefully, a renewed sense of creativity and playfulness."

An intuitive drawing from author and artist Ronald Gross. In college Gross was taught how to take a doodle and elevate it into fine art.Photo courtesy of Ronald Gross

Gross's own journey into intuitive drawing started at a young age, when he would doodle and sketch throughout the school day. Years later at the Academy of Art University, a professor encouraged him to lean into this more intuitive and abstract style of art. Since then, Gross has been exploring intuitive drawing's ability to access a meditative state, as well as tap into the subconscious mind.

"When you draw intuitively, you’re fully present in the moment," Gross says. "Your mind quiets, and you become attuned to the flow of your thoughts, feelings, and physical movements. It’s akin to meditation, only instead of sitting still, you’re actively channeling your inner experience onto the page."

An intuitive drawing by author and artist Ronald Gross. Gross's intuitive drawings each evoke a different feeling through his simple use of color and linework. Photo courtesy of Ronald Gross

Gross adds that over time, doing some of the exercises included in the book may even help boost confidence, since intuitive drawing can help people learn to trust their instincts.

"Intuitive drawing can unlock creativity, reduce stress, and help people reconnect with their inner selves," he adds. "It offers a space to process emotions, spark ideas, and break free from perfectionism or overthinking."

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